PACK EXPO preview: Wal-Mart’s Zettlemoyer-Lazar to present special Conference at PACK EXPO keynote

Amy Zettlemoyer-Lazar, packaging director of Sam’s Club and co-manager of Wal- Mart’s Sustainability Value Network, will provide an update on the retailer’s packaging sustainability initiatives during a special Conference at PACK EXPO keynote session on Sunday, November 9, the opening day of PACK EXPO International 2008 (November 9-13, McCormick Place, Chicago).

Wal-Mart and PMMI, producer of the PACK EXPO shows, are also working to create a Wal-Mart Sustainability Scorecard Information Center at the show.

PMMI, the packaging supply chain association, is inviting Zettlemoyer-Lazar to report on the progress of the Wal-Mart sustainability scorecard and the next steps in its evolution in a presentation tentatively entitled: “Keeping Score: How Wal-Mart and its Suppliers Continue to Advance Packaging Change, Innovation and Sustainability.”

Zettlemoyer-Lazar’s keynote presentation ties into the theme of this year’s show, “Change, Innovation and Sustainability” and will be presented during a special standalone session of the Conference at PACK EXPO to be held at 1pm on Sunday. The regular sessions of the conference get underway on Monday, November 10 at 8:30am and run until mid-day Wednesday, November 12. Anyone registered to attend PACK EXPO is eligible to register for the Conference at PACK EXPO sessions. Advance registration for individual sessions of the Conference, including Zettlemoyer-Lazar’s keynote, is $55 before October 21. Follow-up: for a complete rundown of the conference sessions – and to register online – please go to http://pei2008.packexpo.com/attendee/registration.html.

PACK EXPO preview: PACK EXPO Selects program showcases exhibitor innovation

Attendees at PACK EXPO International can vote for the year’s most innovative packages from PACK EXPO exhibitors. Panel of packaging professionals selects finalists for display at The Showcase of Packaging Innovations® exhibit sponsored by The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI. Registered show goes can vote for most inventive commercial package presented. To qualify, packages must have been designed, developed or produced by exhibitors – and used by customers to contain product in the marketplace. “Winners are chosen by their peers and customers,” says Francesco C. Leboffe, vp of Marketing for PMMI. So, “winning this contest is quite an honor.” Follow-up: Link: www.packexposelects.com.

PACK EXPO preview: Coder runs cartons, blister cards

ACF-400 Carton Coder prints “crash lock” cartons as well as blister cards, reportedly only coder in world capable of printing both. Servo-driven system to be introduced by Norwood Marking Systems/Allen Coding Systems, Downers Grove, IL, at PACK EXPO International, prints batch/production codes, expiration/sell-by dates, logos, barcodes, other graphics at up to 262 feet (80 metres)/minute on cartons, sleeves, blister packs, leaflets from 0.1 to 6 millimetres (mm) thick. Sizes range from 2 x 2.75 inches (50 x 70mm) to 15.75 x 15.75 inches (400 x 400mm). Bottom belt combined with upper pressure roller handle complex shapes, odd sizes, thinner material while maintaining precise registration. Unlike traditional belt roller systems, ACF-400 eliminates dead section in print area. Unique belt configuration also allows operators to safely remove printed cartons from discharge area while system is running. Available with thermal-transfer or hot-foil printing technology, stainless steel unit operates in either intermittent or continuous motion. If equipped with Norwood/Allen’s large-format NGT 8 thermal-transfer printer, maximum print area measures 8.4 x 4 inches (213 x 100mm). Norwood/Allen 60/35S hot-stamp printer provides maximum print area of 2.4 x 1.4 inches (60 x 35mm). Touchpad expedites changeover between modes, setup of speed, index length, batch quantity. Adjusting for new carton size requires no tools or change parts, occurs in 1 minute, significantly faster than traditional carton coders that need at least 5 minutes and as much as 20 minutes of changeover time. Suitable for virtually any industry, compact off-line carton coder sits on castor wheels so it moves easily from one area to another. Quality-control features minimize chance of unprinted or double-printed stock by stopping machine if double feed occurs, sensing substrate length. Options include bar code scanners/verifiers, vision inspection, additional printheads to eliminate need for multiple passes. Follow-up: William Delmolino, +1 630-968-0646, marketing@itwnorwood.com; Link: www.itwnorwood.com.

FDA reports progress on Food Protection Plan

Prevention centers on increasing foreign capacity with agency poised to establish presence in China, exploring requirements for presence in India. Work also proceeds on labeling, processing, ingredient standards for pet food, as well as multi-year Tomato Safety Initiative to identify how Salmonella contamination can be prevented. Intervention includes work on risk assessment of imported products, increased inspections. To expedite response to food safety problems, agency continues work with industry to identify best practices for traceability. Follow-up: Link: www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/advance/food/progressreport.html.

Pressure-sensitive printer applicator works with most printers

Updated 3138-NV printer applicator from Label-Aire, Inc., Fullerton, CA, simplifies operation, maintenance, repair. Unit’s features include split cover for easy access, easier tamp assembly field kit installation, redesigned electronics tray for top access, pneumatic panel for easy component replacement, 1 to 10-inch (25.4 to 254-millimetre) adjustable tamp assembly with stainless steel rods, locking collars, ambidextrous parts so unit can be assembled in left or right hand configuration. Options on radio frequency identificationconfigurable unit include 17-inch (432mm) powered unwind, label-on-pad detection, air-blow labeling conversion, 90-degree swing tamp, dual-action tamp. Unit accepts most printers. Follow-up: Sales Department, +1 714-441-0700, info@labelaire.com; Link: www.label-aire.com.

Tetra Pak invests US$188.3 million to increase capacity

To meet rising demand for aseptic dairy products, beverages, Tetra Pak International SA, Lund, Sweden, invests in converting facilities in Pakistan, Brazil. Supplier of materials, machinery for aseptic packaging, plans to invest €90 million (US$141.3 million) in construction of packaging material converting factory in Pakistan with annual capacity of 8 billion packages such as Tetra Brik® Aseptic, Tetra Fino® Aseptic with potential for doubling capacity to 16 billion. Plant, which is scheduled for startup in 2H10, ranks as firm’s largest facility in Middle East for production of packaging material for liquid food products, primarily serves domestic market, but exports regionally. In Brazil, Tetra Pak plans to invest €30 million (US$47.1 million) in Monte Mor printing, laminating plant to increase flexibility, reduce turnaround time, boost capacity 25% to about 12.5 billion packages/year. New equipment includes state-of-art laminator, FlexoProcess printing line. Scheduled to begin production in March 2009, FlexoProcess printing line handles wide range of materials. Latest capital investments for 2008 join €26 million (US$40.8 million) expenditure to upgrade printing, laminating ops at packaging materials plant in Rubiera, Italy. In addition, €60 million (US$94.2 million) packaging material manufacturing plant in Hohhot, China, nears completion in preparation for 2008 startup. Follow-up: Marketing Department (Pully, Switzerland), +1 41 21 729 2111; Link: www.tetrapak.com.

Cereplast receives patent for bioplastics family

Cereplast Compostables® Resins from Cereplast, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, receive patent from US Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC. US Patent #7,393,590, issued on 1 July 2008, covers formulation of biodegradable resin grades designed primarily for extrusion coating on paper, other substrates. Latest patent brings total to five covering Cereplast Compostables, Cereplast Hybrid Resin products with 22 more pending in US, abroad. Cereplast Compostables Resins meet US, European standards of compostability (ASTM 6400 D99, ASTM 6868, EN 13432), hold certification from Biodegradable Products Institute, New York, NY. Follow-up: Marketing Department, +1 310-676-5000, info@cereplast.com; Link: www.cereplast.com.

Label industry growth peaks in Asian market, levels off globally

Slower growth rates in Europe means label printers need to focus on customer service to maintain position, according to study by Alexander Watson Associates (AWA), Amsterdam, Netherlands. End-User Market Survey and Industry Reports pegs global growth rate of label industry at 4.7% in 2007 with increases of 8.9% in Asia Pacific, 6.6% in South America offsetting 2.5% growth in North America, 2.4% in Europe. Study suggests eastern European growth will slow, with Russia as principal driver in region. Mexico shows greatest potential in North America, while Japan, India fuel label demand in Asia to match China’s developed regions. Report also defines market shares for various formats with wet glue at 50.0%; self-adhesive at 39.0%; sleeves at 8.0%; inmold labels, 2.0%; other forms, 1.0%. Growth rate of 9.0% for heat shrink labeling leads industry, followed by 5.6% for self-adhesive, 5.5% for in-mold, 3.5% for wet glue, 2.8% for other methods. AWA undertakes study annually for FINAT (Féderation INternationale des fabricants et transformateurs d’Adhésifs et Thermocollants sur papiers et autres supports), The Hague, Netherlands, trade association dedicated to self-adhesive labels, schedules release of next report in March 2009. Follow-up: Jules Lejeune, managing director, +31 70 312 39 10, jlejeune@lejeune.nl; Link: www.finat.com.

New insurance program benefits PMMI members

Partnership with Alliant Insurance Services, Chantilly, VA, delivers new benefit to 550 members of Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), Arlington, VA. PMMI Business Insurance Program offers property/general liability insurance from Chubb Group of Insurance Cos., Warren, NJ; , worker’s compensation insurance via The Hartford, Hartford, CT. Both firms rank as major players in their fields with Chubb in 11th place among property/casualty insurers, Hartford in fifth position among worker’s compensation underwriters. General liability insurance includes product liability, manufacturer’s errors/omissions, product recall, international coverage. PMMI members also gain access to Alliant’s Strategic HR subsidiary, a specialist in human resources, loss control, safety services. In addition, participation provides access to Nationwide Risk Consulting, Inc., Holbrook, NY, which audits worker compensation settlements to identify, recover overpayments. Follow-up: Bob Murphy, fvp, +1 703-397-0977, bmurphy@alliantinsurance.com; Link: www.alliantinsurance.com.

Cal Dooley moves from GMA to ACC

Major trade associations with strong links to packaging gain new leaders as Cal Dooley, president/ceo of Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Washington, DC, assumes same roles at American Chemistry Council (ACC), Arlington, VA, on 8 September 2008. Meanwhile GMA launches search for successor. Dooley succeeds Jack Gerard, who departs to head American Petroleum Institute, Washington, DC. “Cal’s knowledge of industry, his excellent bipartisan reputation on Capitol Hill, his savvy business sense, and his political acumen make him a great choice to lead our association,” says Bob Wood, chairman of ACC board of directors, chairman/ceo of Chemtura Corp., Middlebury, CT. Dooley, a seven-term Congressman from California, headed Food Products Association (FPA) at time of merger with GMA, has led merged group since January 2007. “As a result of the GMA-FPA merger, GMA is now an advocacy, supply chain and scientific powerhouse on behalf of our industry,” says Doug Conant, GMA chairman, president/ceo of Campbell Soup Co., Camden, NJ. Follow-up: Link: www.gmaonline.org; www.americanchemistry.com.

Silicon oxide-coated films offer ultra high barrier properties

Modified X-Barrier film/sheet from Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, blocks transmission of oxygen, water vapor, fragrance. Oriented polyethylene terephthalate (OPET) generally serves as base for custom barrier structures, but other films can be used. Mitsubishi’s Techbarrier technology vacuum-coats film with silicon oxide, resulting in water vapor, oxygen transmission rate significantly lower than that of traditional barrier materials like ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride-coated PET. Custom construction tailors properties such as Gelbo-Flex durability, heat resistance, stability of gas barrier property under high temperature/high humidity, climate durability, chemical durability, antistatic quality, electric insulation, heat resistance, flame resistance, transparency. Applications include printed electronics, packaging for medical, pharmaceutical, industrial fields for products like catheters, surgical sutures, contact lenses, tablets, capsules, liquid products for parenteral nutrition, dialysis or hematal treatment, moisture-sensitive resins, semiconductor components, flat panel displays, building materials. Metal-free structure makes retortable food packaging compatible with metal detector quality control systems, microwave heating by consumer. Follow-up: Shigeru Matsuoka, gm Overseas Sales, Marketing Film Department, +81 3 3279 3282, matsuoka.shigeru@md.mpi.co.jp; Link: www.mpi.co.jp/english/index.htm.

Pliant rolls out joint packaging venture with Russia’s Nova Roll

Value-added films including polyvinyl chloride, stretch, food sealant, barrier provide core of manufacturing joint venture between Pliant Corp., Schaumburg, IL, Nova Roll, Moscow, Russia. As culmination of several years’ efforts, Moscowheadquartered partnership sells products in Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries through Nova Roll’s Pack, Service divisions; in remainder of Europe via Pliant GmbH, Philippsburg, Germany. “Our businesses continue to grow rapidly in Russia and the CIS,” says Vjacheslav Astashin, president/ceo of Nova Roll, a company with annual sales of more than $83.0 million. “Partnering with Pliant, a global packaging leader, further accelerates our business plans and expands our product portfolio,” he notes. Nova Roll’s 150,000-square-foot factory operates five blown, two cast extrusion lines, nine flexographic presses, seven slitters, three coating lines, 18 bag machines, employs 430. Pliant produces $1.1 billion of value-added film, flexible packaging for personal-care, medical, food, industrial, agricultural markets at 21 manufacturing plants in five countries. Operations include 185 film extrusion lines, 35 printing presses, 75 bag machines. Follow-up: At Nova Roll, Ekaterina Lubyantsiva, + 7 495-993 6041, Lubyantsiva@novaroll.pack.ru; Link: www.pack.ru; at Pliant, Stephen T. Auburn, vp/general counsel, +1 847-969-3319, Steve.auburn@pliantcorp.com; Link: www.pliantcorp.com.

Patented tray sealer boosts sustainability, productivity

Eco-cut tray sealer combines ease of use, high seal quality, fast operation to reduce running time per reel of film, save energy, cut package weight. In-line machine from Packaging Automation Ltd., Cheshire, UK, accommodates film as thin as 14 microns, plus uses less film for material savings of up to 33%. During sealing trials, one end-user reports sealing 8,200 trays nearly double 4,440-tray output of conventional tray sealer. Applications include variety of food packaging operations, including ready meals, meat, fish, bakery products. In addition to handling traditional tray/lidstock materials, Eco-cut accepts thermoformed recycled polyethylene terephthalate trays, variety of biodegradable, compostable packaging materials. Follow-up: Sales Department, +44 1565 756509, eco-cut@pal.co.uk; Link: www.pal.co.uk.

Study predicts biopolymer investments will continue

Biopolymers cost more, perform less than traditional petroleum-based polymers, concludes Biopolymers for Commodity Packaging report.

Nevertheless, study from Packaging Strategies, West Chester, PA, predicts investment in biopolymer research/development, commodity application will continue due to declining costs for bioplastics, rising costs for petroleum-based plastics, as well as demand for sustainable products. Report discusses significant packaging biopolymer technologies/producers, market drivers, compares economics, performance of biopolymers against traditional plastics in commodity packaging.

In addition, 17 packaging manufacturing cost assessment models compare five “standard” plastics against five biopolymers across seven package formats, seven processing techniques. Trio of authors include Gordon Bockner, principal, Business Development Associates, Inc., Bethesda, MD; Dr. Jim Lune, founding member of NatureWorks LLC, Minnetonka, MN; Robert Tremblay, president, Plastex Solutions, LLC, Midland, TX. Follow-up: Order Department, +1 610-436-4220, ext. 11, orders@packstrat.com; Link: www.packstrat.com (click Market/Technology Studies).

Changeover: IP… tna… Doboy…

Global paper, packaging company, International Paper (IP), Memphis, TN, elects Stacey J. Mobley to board; retired svp/general counsel, chief executive of DuPont, Wilmington, DE, brings 36 years of leadership in strategic direction, operations to position… Turnkey packaging solutions provider, tna, Sydney, Australia, reappoints Michael Green vp Americas, tna North America, Inc., Dallas, TX; Green also oversees tnamex S de RL de CV, Mexico City, Mexico, returns after hiatus at food ingredients company, served as tna’s vp Americas from 1998-2002, brings 18 years’ sales, marketing, management experience in food industry… Bosch Packaging Technology, Waiblingen, Germany, names Pres Lawhon president/gm of Doboy, Inc., New Richmond, WI, to oversee activities in North, South America related to firm’s horizontal flow wrappers, robotics, cartoners, bag closers, vertical-form-fill-seal equipment for food, confectionery, pharmaceutical industries; Lawhon joins Doboy from Pacific Brakes International, another Bosch company…

Upstream: InterBev… Sustainable Package Design...

Annual beverage show, InterBev 2008 (www.interbev.com/registration.asp), occurs 20-22 October 2008 at Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV… Sustainable Package Design Workshop + Designer’s Resource Expo (www.bnpevents.com/PS/SPD/index.htm) takes place 27-28 January 2009 at Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater Beach, FL; organized by Packaging Strategies, West Chester, PA, event for structural, graphic package designers includes tabletop exhibits… Self-adhesive label trade group, FINAT, Paris, France, teams up with Turkish Label Association, Istanbul, Turkey, for FINAT 09 Congress, 10-13 June 2009, Antalya, Turkey; Turkish organizers adopt slogan “Business Meets Holiday” for conference, emphasizing Antalya’s tourist region…

ShortRuns: MWV... Aquaflex… Graphic Packaging…

Rigesa, Celulose, Papel e Embalagens Ltda., subsidiary of MWV, Glen Allen, VA, builds sixth corrugated box plant in Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil; firm expects to start up in February 2009 in 25,000-square-metre building, serve customers in interior of State of São Paulo, north of Paraná, employ 180… Under partnership with SRAMAG-SMAG, Savigny-sur-Orge, France, Aquaflex, Duncansville, PA, begins marketing its servodriven ELS, FPC series of flexo presses for labels, flexible packaging in Europe with initial efforts concentrated in France, Italy; plans to install demo press, parts at SMAG by end of October 2008… As condition of its merger with Altivity Packaging, Graphic Packaging International, Inc., Marietta, GA, sells two coated-recycled board mills, one in Philadelphia, PA, one in Wabash, IN, to affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., Boca Raton, FL... Prices for all coated, uncoated recycled paperboard prices rise $50/ton at Rock-Tenn Co., Norcross, GA, beginning with shipments on 14 July 2008… Winpak, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, gains flexible food packaging capabilities, sales opportunities for its packaging materials/machines with acquisition of Walsroder Packaging LLC, Willowbrook, IL, subsidiary of Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI… For second straight year, Cotia, Brazil, operation of Klöckner Pentaplast Group Americas, Gordonsville, VA, receives Febrafarma Quality Award in Plastic Films to Blister category from Brazilian Pharmaceutical Industry Federation, São Paulo, Brazil; federation’s membership votes for winners based on quality control, technical support, customer service, innovation… American Israeli Paper Mills Group Ltd. (AIPM), Hadera, Israel, changes name to Hadera Paper Ltd., manufacturer of paper, corrugated, recycling pioneer… Difficulty in obtaining sawdust, rising costs, including municipal tax, force Catalyst Paper, Richmond, BC, Canada, to shut down containerboard, sawdust pulp operations at Elks Falls mill in Campbell River, BC, effective 30 November 2008; closure eliminates 131,000 tons of containerboard capacity, 200,000 tons of sawdust pulp capacity, affects about 440 employees…

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